Coaching Circles 2024
Topic: Professional networking is crucial for growing your business or career, and it takes thought and skill to do it well. This coaching circle will show you how.
Holly Craig ’84, Owner and CEO, Stratonics (Lead)
After graduating from CSULB with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Holly Craig went to work for Spectron Development Labs, where she was part of a team developing state-of-the-art sensors incorporating lasers, optics, and holography to measure phenomena. The primary concentration was in the measurement of aerodynamic properties of missiles in wind tunnels. Transitioning to systems engineering, Craig became an R&D missile program manager at Perkin Elmer Applied Optics Operations, then coordinated between R&D, engineering, and manufacturing groups at Advanced Interventional Systems. In 1992, she and her husband launched Lake Forest-based Stratonics, which has become a leader in sensor technology that measures high temperatures of metal in additive manufacturing processes. Craig continues to be involved in technology development, as well as business activities.
2024 CC- Building Your Professional Network
Co-Leads:
Kim Armstrong, Ed.D, Boeing Global Services, Eng - Sr HR Business Partner
JenniferJohnson Women in Cleantech and SustainabilityMember, Board of Directors
EmilyWoodman-Nance, At Their Side, CEO and Co-Founder
TanWarren, Brascia Builders Inc., Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Michelle Keyser, Hensel Phelps, Manager of Supplier Diver
Topic: Healthy work-life balance is how you consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal commitments while prioritizing self-care and well-being. Learn key ways to find the correct balance in your life.
Monica Amalfitano '94, Director of Design and Construction Services, Campus Engineer, CSULB (Lead)
Monica Amalfitano has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from CSULB and is a professionally licensed Engineer in the State of California with over 28 years of management, design and construction, and facility operations experience in Higher Education. Before coming to CSULB, she was a Project Manager and Senior Mechanical Engineer for P2S Engineering. She served as Campus Engineer to CSULB, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSUF and other UCs and community colleges. Monica has her LEED BD+C credentials, and as Campus Engineer, leads CSULB’s sustainability conversations and decisions related to campuswide utility infrastructure and building design and renovations. Monica enjoys mentoring women in Design, Construction, Facilities and STEM careers.
Co-Leads:
Brianna Cambell, Rivian, Sr. Program Manager
Antonella Sciortino, CSULB Associate Dean, College of Engineering
Kimmy Phipps, Sukut Construction, Project Manager
Rachel Jewkes, Rivian Automotiv LLC, Sr Staff, Vehicle Technical Program Manager
Topic: What Makes You an Engineer? Your engineering identity plays a vital role in your future work, and it may be influenced by your gender. Find out how to identify with women engineers and the great work they do.
Dana Cabbell, Director of Transmission System Planning & Strategy, Southern California Edison
Dana Cabbell, P.E has worked for Southern California Edison (SCE) for 40 years in the areas of transmission, subtransmission, and distribution long-term planning.
Presently, Dana is the Director of the Transmission System Planning & Strategy (TSP&S) in the Asset Strategy & Planning (ASP) organization. She is responsible for translating electric system regulatory policies and SCE’s long-term Pathway 2045 vision into transmission and subtransmission strategic project-development plans. TSP&S accomplishes this via the development of long- term scenario analyses to perform 10+ year system assessments to determine system capabilities, needs, and grid architectures in support of clean grid strategies.
2024 CC- Developing Your Engineering Identity
Co-Leads:
MarielCisneros, Northrop Grumman, Sr Program Manager: research and advanced design
LaurieHuningl, CSULB Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering
Jessica Min, Sunrun, Associate Civil Engineer III
Natalie White, Amazon Web Services, Principal Solutions Architect
Amber Perez, The Aerospace Corporation, Electronics Engineer
Topic: Do you at times doubt your skills and abilities, even though you are successful? Find out how to nip this tendency in the bud and be proud of your success!
Mia Fujii, Director of Academic Enablement, Siemens Digital Industries Software (Lead)
Mia Fujii has been responsible for sales, sales management, business development, services, new hire training programs, license compliance and academic programs throughout her 25-year career at Siemens. Author of the book, “Ladies…Make It Your Time Now,” Fujii has been a guest speaker at CSULB Society of Women Engineers chapter events, and other STEM events on campus. She is the recipient of Siemens Inner Circle, Golden Eagle, CEO, and Diversity Council awards, and received a Technology Star from the Women of Color organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of California, Irvine. Prior to Siemens, she held technical positions in support of electrical engineering software applications used to design electrical systems.
Co-Leads:
Becca Chanowitz, Rivian, Product Design Engineer
Sandra Labiib, Intuit, Fraud Prevention PMO Lead
Amber Perez, The Aerospace Corporation, Electronics Engineer
Lorena Rubalcava, Siemens,, License Compliance Manager US
Topic: The path to reach leadership roles is a process, and it takes time to develop the skills and experience to confidently manage teams of people and complex projects. Learn about steps you can take to expand your level of responsibility and increase your leadership skills.
Jennifer Didlo, President, Retired, AES Southland
Jennifer Didlo’s appointment in 2015 as Market Business Leader for the Western Portion of the United States for AES in addition to her responsibilities as President of AES Southland and AES Hawaii is a culmination of more than 25 years of leadership experience in power generation, including 20 years in California, Hawaii and Texas. AES’s Western portfolio includes more than 3,900 MW of natural gas fired and 180 MW of coal generation, 125 MW of wind generation and 40 MWhr of Battery Energy Storage.
Prior to working at AES, Ms. Didlo held Plant Manager, supervisory and engineering positions at Southern California Edison across multiple locations. She was an integral member of the SCE divestiture team during California’s electrical deregulation.
She holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California State University at Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. As well, she is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California. Recently, Ms. Didlo has retired from her corporate role and now enjoys spending time with her husband and their teenage son and helping to promote women in energy and engineering through her involvement with both CSULB and The Hawthorn Club.
2024 CC - From Engineering to Leadership
Co -Leads:
Christina Bravo, Northrop Grumman, Director of Operations
Neveen Farang, Northrop Grumman, Principal Electrical Engineer
Mozhdeh Najafabadi, Department of Defense - Space Force/AFDeputy Divi Chief, Acquisition Delta-Strategic SATCOM
DelilahNunez, The Aerospace Corporation, Systems Director
Note: CSULB events and scholarships are open to all CSULB students, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity.
